Internet Counselling for Disease Management

Overview of Internet Counselling

Internet counselling is an innovative method for managing various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia. This approach utilizes the internet and devices such as desktop computers, tablets, and laptops to engage with patients.

Study Insights from Lancet Digital Health

A recent study published in *Lancet Digital Health* explored the effectiveness of internet counselling in managing cardiovascular disease. The research involved 2,724 participants aged 65 and older from Finland, France, and the Netherlands.

Study Methodology

Participants were initially invited to join the study through a telephone screening process. Following this, they attended an in-person session where their blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Additionally, their medical history and current medications were documented. Participants completed a series of online questionnaires, including a geriatric depression scale to evaluate levels of depression and anxiety, as well as adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Blood samples were collected to analyze lipids, glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin. All these measurements were repeated at the study’s conclusion after 18 months.

Key Findings

Results indicated that blood pressure levels were lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, symptoms of anxiety showed a more significant reduction in the intervention group. The incidence of stroke was also lower in the intervention group at 0.3%, compared to 1.0% in the control group. The intervention group logged a total of 59,441 sessions, while the control group had 17,014 logins.

The study demonstrated a modest decrease in cardiovascular risk over 18 months, primarily attributed to a reduction in BMI. Lifestyle changes, such as decreased smoking rates, also contributed to this reduction in cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that internet counselling can be an effective strategy for managing cardiovascular disease. It may help patients reduce harmful habits like smoking and obesity that contribute to cardiovascular issues. As a low-cost and easily accessible intervention, internet counselling presents a promising option for supporting cardiovascular disease patients.

Author and References

Written by Katrina F. Zafer, BSc
References: Richard, E., Moll van Charante, E. P., Hoevenaar-Blom, M. P., Barbera, M., Van der Groep, A. (2019) Healthy Ageing Through Internet Counselling in the Elderly (HATICE): a Multinational, Randomised Controlled Trial. *The Lancet Digital Health*
Image by Niek Verlaan from Pixabay